Banga and Kauno Žalgiris share spoils in goalless draw
Banga Gargždai and defending champions Kauno Žalgiris could not be separated in one of the central matches of Toplyga’s 29th round, playing out a 0-0 draw in front of a full house of 2,323 spectators in Gargždai.
Photo: FK Kauno Žalgiris/Facebook Kauno Žalgiris made wholesale changes to their starting XI following their famous European victory over Beşiktaş, with only two players retaining their places – Croatian forward Gabriel Debeljuh and Colombian defender Aldary Hernandez.
Both sides started the game with attacking intent, but the first real opportunity fell to the visitors. Following a corner, Debeljuh got his head to the ball, but Banga goalkeeper Volodymyr Krynskyi was able to make the save.
The best chance of the first half came in the 35th minute at the other end. Banga broke forward quickly before a cross from the left found Deividas Malžinskas at the far side of the penalty area. His effort looked destined for the corner, but Tomas Švedkauskas produced an excellent save to keep the champions level.
Banga came close again shortly after the restart when Vaidas Magdušauskas was left with the ball inside the penalty area, but his shot narrowly missed the target.
Kauno Žalgiris responded in the 61st minute as Australian midfielder Anthony Kalik tried his luck from distance, sending his effort just wide. The defending champions came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 81st minute. Vykintas Slivka rose to meet a cross with a header, only to see the ball crash against the crossbar.
Tempers briefly flared a few minutes later after a challenge by Fedor Černych on a Banga player sparked a small confrontation between the two sides. The referee showed four yellow cards during the incident.
Neither team could find the breakthrough on a rainy evening in Gargždai, with the 0-0 draw allowing league leaders Sūduva to further extend their advantage at the top following their victory over Šiauliai. Kauno Žalgiris remain second with 39 points, while Banga sit fourth with 38 points.
Banga will return to action on Thursday, hosting Panevėžys, while Kauno Žalgiris will also play on Thursday, hosting FA Šiauliai in the Lithuanian Cup semi-final.
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
28 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 56 | 20 | 36 | 51 |
| 2 |  FK Sūduva |
29 | 13 | 11 | 5 | 39 | 29 | 10 | 50 |
| 3 |  FK Žalgiris |
29 | 14 | 5 | 10 | 45 | 34 | 11 | 47 |
| 4 |  Transinvest |
28 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 43 | 35 | 8 | 45 |
| 5 |  FK Banga |
28 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 41 |
| 6 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
28 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 36 | 40 | -4 | 38 |
| 7 |  FK Panevėžys |
28 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 29 | 43 | -14 | 32 |
| 8 |  FC Hegelmann |
29 | 4 | 14 | 11 | 31 | 48 | -17 | 26 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
29 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 24 | 58 | -34 | 17 |
